Halloween Costume Ideas For 2005

There's really only one genuinely scary thing about Halloween: Showing up in a crappy costume. Well, it's time to get over your fears. I've spent a couple of nights mulling over some of the more popular / affordable / eye-catching costumes that can make your Halloween night frightfully original. Read on... if you dare.

original costumes

Popular movies, television shows and pop culture figures are a goldmine for costume ideas. It can't be just any old movie or TV show, however. The key is finding a costume, character or concept that strikes just the right balance between the recognizable, the obscure and the hilarious.

Napoleon Dynamite

Yes, the movie was released in 2004, but the character keeps getting more popular. No one can get enough of this dancing, afroed nerd from exurban Idaho, so strike while the iron's still hot. Sweet!

What you need:

Brown three-piece suit

Pale blue shirt

Wide, diagonally-striped tie featuring brown, yellow and blue

Dirty-blonde afro wig

Aviator-style eyeglasses

Tip: If you can't find the right suit, you can even wear a "Vote for Pedro" T-shirt, available at a store near you or online.

And if you're worried that "Napoleon" himself might be played out, why not go as his brother, Kip, or his best friend, Pedro? A quick trip to the thrift shop for old clothes and a couple of bad mustaches later, and you'll be well on your way.

Donald Trump

The real estate mogul and shameless self-promoter is instantly recognizable and always the center of attention. And as The Apprentice has begun showing its age in its fourth season, it's only gotten tackier. In my book, that makes Mr. Trump a billion-dollar costume.

What you need:

Wispy blond wig with exaggerated comb-over

Two-piece three-button suit

Padding to make torso bulky

Pink tie

Overcoat

Briefcase

Bonus: overuse of the words "best," "huge" and "amazing"

Hey, if you pull it off, maybe you'll meet a Melania of your own...

Roman Soldier

HBO's Rome has made the ancients hip again (not to mention, frequently in the buff). This costume's a little more specific than most, but once you don the armor, you'll command instant respect and might even attract some ladies.

What you need:

Helmet, breastplate, greaves, sandals, sword, and shield

Red tunic

Leather skirt (Make your own by affixing strips of studded brown leather to an old belt)

Short red linen cape

Dracula with coffin

When done in the classic Bela Lugosi style, Dracula always impresses. But is it original? Feh. That's why you should only concentrate on the upper part of Dracula's outfit. Stand up in a cardboard coffin and leave the top part open with your upper body visible in full Dracula garb. Add a few handles to the box's inside to hold it up, and cut out the coffin's bottom so you can still walk around. It takes a little work, but it's always a crowd-pleaser.